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Here's What the 'Save the Plain Dealer' Campaign Has Planned for When Layoffs Are Announced (Likely, Next Week)

That slow grind of Advance Publication's march toward a more digital-friendly, less-staffed-newsroom for the Plain Dealer's world will finally be coming to a head as soon as next week.

And what does the Save the Plain Dealer campaign have in store when the layoffs are announced and the newsroom is gutted? Here's the internal email they sent out today:

Some of you have asked what The Save The Plain Dealer campaign intends to do when the layoffs are announced.

Here's what we have planned:

1. On the evening of the day that the layoffs are announced — or, alternately, the following evening, if the announcement comes late in the day — we're asking everyone to gather on the sidewalk in front of the newsroom. This invitation is open to those who have been let go, if you're up to it, and those who remain on staff. We all support each other, and we'd like to communicate that to the public. One or two of us on the campaign committee will make some brief prepared remarks for the benefit of the news media, who will be invited to attend. We'll have some signs that express concern about the layoffs' impact, and that say goodbye on behalf of those let go. If you already have a Save The PD T-shirt, we're asking that you wear it; if you would like to buy one (the $10 cost goes to the campaign and ultimately to help those laid off) John Mangels has plenty left. There also are some left at Artefino Cafe across Superior in the Tower Press building, though we'll be ending that operation next week. We'll be sending out a group email on the day of the layoffs with an exact time of the gathering. Please encourage friends, family members and supporters in the community to join us. Also, please keep in mind that this will be a Guild-sanctioned action and, as a result, a protected one. The focus will be to protest and mourn the loss of jobs and a strong newspaper, and also to remind employers in the community that a number of smart, resourceful people have just been made available for hire.

2. Afterwards, we will head to Market Garden Brewery (1947 W. 25th St., Cleveland) for some much deserved sorrow-drowning and fellowship.

3. We'll be notifying our followers on the Save the Plain Dealer Facebook page of the layoffs. If you are one of those let go, and would like to share any parting words for the community, or want to post a link to your resume or LinkedIn page, or a summary of your qualifications and contact info for prospective employers, please email the information to savetheplaindealer@gmail.com and we'll post it for you.

Sincerely,The Save The Plain Dealer committee

Market Garden Brewery: Your one-stop show for the Cleveland literati. This installment: Tears and beers.